The gaming accessories that make the biggest difference are rarely the flashiest. A headset stand, a monitor arm, a large desk mat, a footrest and a cable tray give you more space, better posture and a desk that looks calm when the screen is off.
Our first pieces are on their way. We are choosing them one by one from European workshops and makers. Tell me when they arrive.
Buying guide
Peripherals such as keyboards, mice and headsets come down to personal taste and the games you play. The accessories around them are easier to choose, because they solve the same problems for almost everyone, namely clutter, cables, screen height and comfort over a long session. Here is what each one does and what to check.
A stand keeps the headset off the desk, protects the ear pads from being crushed and gives the cable somewhere to hang. Choose a weighted base or a clamp so it does not tip when you lift the headset off. Some stands add USB ports or a wireless charging pad, which is useful if you charge a controller too. Stands in wood or metal tend to look better in a living room than glossy plastic.
An arm lifts the screen off the desk, frees the space underneath and lets you set the height and distance exactly. Check that your monitor has a VESA mount, usually 75 or 100 mm, and that its weight sits within the arm's range, including the heavier curved and ultrawide models. Clamp mounts need a desktop of the right thickness with clear space at the back edge. Gas spring arms move easily but must be tensioned to the screen's weight.
A large mat that covers the keyboard and mouse area gives a consistent surface, quietens typing and protects the desk from scratches. Around 90 by 40 cm suits most setups. Cloth gives control, harder surfaces give speed, and felt or leather looks warmer but can be slower for fast games. Stitched edges stop fraying, and most cloth mats can be hand washed in cool water and left flat to dry.
If your feet do not rest flat when the chair is at the right height for the desk, a footrest fixes it more cheaply than a new desk. An angled or rocking footrest also keeps the legs moving during long sessions, which many people find more comfortable.
A tray under the back edge of the desk holds the extension lead and power bricks. Sleeves, clips and Velcro ties take the cables down one leg. It is a small job that changes how the whole setup looks, and among gaming accessories it is the one people most often skip.
Controllers left on the sofa end up lost or sat on. A small stand or charging dock, a drawer or a shelf near the TV keeps them together. For consoles, allow space at the back and sides for air and avoid closed cupboards without ventilation.
A light bar on the monitor, a small lamp and a wireless charger complete most desks. Keep extras to the ones you use daily, since every object on the desk is something to dust and move. A small tray or box for USB sticks, earbuds and spare batteries stops them spreading across the surface.
Start with what affects your body, then what affects space. A monitor arm and a footrest come first if your screen or chair height is wrong, then the mat and the cable tray, then stands and storage. Most gaming accessories are small purchases, so it is tempting to buy them all at once, but living with the setup for a week shows what is actually missing.
Pick two finishes, for example black metal and oak, and keep to them for the stand, mat and tray. Gaming accessories in matching materials make a setup look planned rather than collected over time.
Beyond the keyboard, mouse and headset, the most useful are a headset stand, a monitor arm, a large desk mat, a footrest and a cable tray.
A monitor arm sets the screen at eye level, a footrest keeps your feet supported and a large mat keeps the wrists level. Together they improve posture over long sessions.
Check the VESA pattern on the back of the monitor, usually 75 or 100 mm, its weight, and the thickness of your desktop for the clamp.
Rooms:Home officeBedroom